CHAPTER 16: INFANT FEEDING
Answers to Review Questions
ANSWERS TO CASE STUDY
1. In trying to discover the source of Lindsey’s problem, the teacher and Lindsey’s mother may
want to look into how the breast milk is being handled at home, in transit, and in child care to
ensure that it has not become contaminated at any step. Since Lindsey is also receiving
pureed fruits and mixed cereal it would be difficult to determine if either or both food
components are causing her discomfort.
2. After carefully washing her hands, Lindsey’s mother may pump or hand express her milk.
She should immediately place the milk in sterile containers and refrigerate or freeze. The
milk should be transported to the child care facility in an insulated container.
3. Review steps for the safe handling of breast milk and safe thawing of frozen breast milk
(Table 16–5).
4. The recommended age to introduce pureed fruit and fruit juice is six to eight months. It is
preferable to offer vegetables first so the infant will become familiar with their taste before
introducing the sweetness of fruits.
5. Breast milk or formula mixed with her cereal; rice cereal should be offered first because it is
the least allergenic grain.
ANSWERS TO CHAPTER REVIEW
A. By Yourself
1. Propping a bottle while the infant is feeding is not advised because this practice increases the
risk of (a) aspiration of formula and choking, (b) ear infections, and (c) baby bottle tooth
decay (BBTD). It also prevents close physical contact and emotional bonding.
2. & 3. An acceptable schedule for introducing semisolid food to the infant during the first year
(see Table 17–1) would be:
5–6 months
iron-fortified cereal
6–8 months
pureed peas/pureed peaches
6–8 months
crisp toast and dry cereals that require chewing (as teeth erupt)
8–9 months
pureed meat products
4. Social factors that make feeding time more enjoyable for the infant are:
a. precede feeding time with a few minutes of talking to and playing with the infant
b. hold the child in a secure upright position while feeding
c. cuddle and talk to the infant during feedings
5. Unmodified cow’s milk or goat’s milk should not be given to infants younger than one year
because they are unable to digest them; intestinal bleeding and other digestive disorders may
develop as a result.
6. Holding and talking with the infant during feedings promotes emotional bonding between
caregiver and infant; fosters trust; and, allows the caregiver to monitor the infant carefully for
choking.
B. As a Group
1. Infants receive all essential nutrients from formula or breast milk (with vitamin D
supplementation for breast fed infants) during the first five to six months. Until this time,
they are not able to move food from the front to the back of their mouths, and are, thus, more
prone to choking. They are also not physiologically ready to digest food; enzymes necessary
for the digestion of complex carbohydrates (cereals) have not developed prior to this time,
and the infant’s kidneys are not yet able to handle nitrogen wastes from high protein meat
products.
2. Today, breast milk and most formulas are relatively similar in composition. However, the
most significant advantage of breast milk is that it supplies antibodies from the mother that
protect the infant from some communicable illnesses. Breast milk is also lower in sodium,
higher in levels of essential fatty acids, less expensive, readily available, less likely to cause
food allergies, less likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria, and changes in quantity
and composition to meet the infant’s growing needs. Nutrients in formula are very similar to
those in breast milk, but do not include the protective antibodies. The advantages of formula
feeding are that it provides some freedom for mothers, allows fathers to be more involved in
the feeding process, and is a satisfactory substitute when mothers are not able to breastfeed.
The disadvantages of breastfeeding include requiring the mother to be available (unless she
pumps), paying careful attention to her diet, and reducing the father’s involvement in the
feeding process. The disadvantages of formula feeding include the lack of antibodies,
additional expense, and precise care necessary in preparing bottles.
3. Some feeding practices that may contribute to infant onset obesity are: (a) overfeeding during
bottle feeding, (b) too early introduction of solid foods, and (c) failure to be alert to or
respond to the infant’s signals of satiety, such as pushing the nipple away or turning the head
away from food.
4. Baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) is caused by allowing infants to feed for prolonged periods
of time, such as putting them to bed with a bottle or giving them fruit juice in a bottle to
drink at their convenience. Sugars in formula, breast milk, or juices can lead to a high rate of
tooth decay when they remain in contact with developing teeth. Infants should be fed in a
reasonable amount of time and the bottle or breast removed.
5. The students’ answers will vary based on their findings and feeding criteria.